Our students' Clearing stories

Clearing was the right move for many of our students

Applying through Clearing is an additional opportunity to go after your dreams. Many of our students joined us through Clearing, whether they decided to change the course they had originally chosen, were late to decide they wanted to go to university or didn't quite achieve results they were hoping for. It happens, as our students explain.

We hope they inspire you to move forward and start your university journey with confidence.

I was immediately made to feel comfortable

Alfie Edwards, Finance and Accounting BSc (Hons)

I applied to study finance and accounting at multiple universities, including local Russell Group universities, but was declined. I then applied to UCB through Clearing.

UCB wasn’t initially on my radar. I knew I wanted to study locally, but beyond that, I felt a bit lost in the process. Based on my grades, the typical paths pointed towards Russell Group universities, but I didn’t feel these environments would bring out the best in me. After setbacks with alternate courses, I decided to give UCB a call.

First impressions mean a lot to me, and I was immediately made to feel comfortable by the course leaders and the Clearing staff. That experience played a big part in my decision to join UCB.

Beyond the course, the university environment is incredibly supportive. The lecturers are approachable and genuinely invested in our success. UCB also offers great facilities, and there’s a strong sense of community among students. It’s a place where I’ve felt encouraged to grow both academically and personally.

I didn’t realise this was a university course opportunity

Morgan Sale, Aviation and Airport Management BA (Hons)

I was rejected for a nursing degree by many universities. However, I found it wasn’t really my passion and soon pulled my UCAS profile. I had been interested in aviation from a young age as my grandad was an aircraft engineer and I lived on army sites as a child. I didn’t realise this was a university course opportunity, so when I found out, I knew I had to apply and was offered an unconditional offer through Clearing.

I rang UCB before my A-level results came out to express my interest and the team told me how it works and what will happen. On results day, I rang and told them my grades. They offered lots of congratulations and had a really positive attitude, which made the whole experience lovely. My Clearing experience was pain-free.

The uni was amazing when my dad was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer, my module leaders and tutors went above and beyond to make sure I was okay. They made it a safe space to talk about my feelings and the struggles I was facing.

*Morgan is now the transport coordinator at a leading automotive recycling firm

If you're thinking of applying through Clearing, do it

Taylor Meah, Paramedic Science BSc (Hons)

I always wanted to be a paramedic, and wanted to study my degree close to home at a university that offered lots of support and would help me fulfil my goal of working for the air ambulance one day.

When I went through Clearing, I was a little worried as I was clueless to what it was. And when I started applying through Clearing, I was scared that it was going to take time to sort out.

But with support from the University, my experience in Clearing was amazing. Everything went so smoothly and I received my offer quickly. I had support to calm my nerves and it was a lot easier than I thought.

What I would say is, if you are thinking of applying through Clearing, do it. There is no point holding back when you are going after your dream career. In my case, that was to change the lives of other people.

Clearing is stress-free, opens up new opportunities

Staci Lawrence, Health and Social Care BSc (Hons)

After leaving school, I did not have the confidence to apply for a degree and also wanted to start earning a wage immediately. I worked as a beauty sales adviser for over 10 years, but in the back of my mind, I knew it was not the career I wanted.

I wanted a job in the health and social care sector, but worried about returning to education as a mature student, and the UCAS procedure seemed daunting. The University College Birmingham admissions team made the uni clearing process easy, gave me the confidence to apply and guided me through each stage.

Clearing is stress-free, opens up new opportunities and creates new adventures. Do not hesitate to take your next step towards a bright future.

I did this because I had a change of heart

Said Onyemauwa, Marketing BA (Hons)

I applied through UCAS for marketing at a university in Scotland as my firm choice. I had received an offer from my firm choice, my second choice being UCB. Because I was holding an offer from a university that was my firm choice, I had to decline them through UCAS Hub and apply for my insurance choice through Clearing.

I did this because I had a change of heart, studying general marketing suddenly seemed boring. Also, the documentary 'The Social Dilemma' left me with a strong calling towards the digital side of marketing, hence why I chose this subject at University College Birmingham.

My Clearing experience was good. No long wait time, staff were friendly and helpful. It felt like applying directly with the uni was easier than going through UCAS.

*Said has graduated and is now a Gen Z brand consultant

I was very happy with my Clearing experience

Finley Weston, Electromechanical Engineering BEng

I chose University College Birmingham because I had already studied engineering here for two years as part of the college, so I was already very familiar with the environment, and it was closest to my home.

My tutors had told me about the BEng Electromechanical Engineering course here, and I already met the requirements, so I felt like it would be a great opportunity for me to stay on for another three years.

I was very happy with my Clearing experience. The University responded quickly, whereas some of the other universities I applied to took up to a month to respond, or I would not hear back from them at all. I appreciated how good they were when it came to communication.

The staff were incredibly helpful and informative

Annabelle Marquis, Health and Social Care BSc (Hons)

I was really undecided on what course I wanted to do. Originally, I was going to apply for health and social care, but decided to apply for paramedic science instead. Unfortunately, I was unsuccessful with both of the Midlands universities I applied to.

After losing hope, my dad told me that I could go through Clearing and not to lose faith. After some thought, I decided to apply for health and social care, which is what I really wanted to do. I applied to UCB.

My course focused on coursework and had no exams, a bonus because I am not very good at exams. There are also lots of job opportunities from my degree and it will help me do what I've always wanted, help people in their time of need.

Clearing was easier than I expected. I researched the universities I wanted to call and I had all the details I needed ready. The staff at UCB were incredibly helpful and informative when I called them on the day and they gave me an unconditional offer.

*Annabelle went on to study a psychology master's degree at UCB and is now an admissions support officer at a local college

Our students' Clearing stories

Clearing was the right move for many of our students

I was immediately made to feel comfortable

I didn’t realise this was a university course opportunity

If you're thinking of applying through Clearing, do it

Clearing is stress-free, opens up new opportunities

I did this because I had a change of heart

I was very happy with my Clearing experience

The staff were incredibly helpful and informative

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